Toyota Tacoma: 2016 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Finalist

Tacoma Enters 2016 With a New V-6 and a Revised Interior

We Don't Like: Its gear-hunting transmission; it tries too hard to be like the old Taco.

Starting at $24,200 for an extended cab SR trim with the holdover 2.7-liter inline-four and commanding up to $38,720 for the crew cab Limited with the volume V-6, the 2016 Tacoma is priced right about where it needs to be in the segment. While evaluating our mid-grade, rear-wheel-drive SR5 and dirt-snorting, TRD Off-Road 4x4, we tiptoed around an unspoken subplot of this Truck of the Year showdown, one that only Christian Seabaugh had the gall to put in writing. "This TOTY is really the Tacoma's to lose."

The Toyotas impressed at first glance. "Interior quality has definitely been upped—it feels almost Lexus-ish in here," Nate Martinez said. "I really enjoyed the infotainment. It's easy to use and connect to, quick, clear, and concise." Judges disagreed over whether the Tacoma, Colorado, or Canyon had the finer cabin.

For the first time since the 2005 model, the Tacoma is a (mostly) new truck. The frame and cab are stronger, and the 3.5-liter V-6 is more powerful and efficient. However, it sounds noisier compared with GM's V-6.

A newly elevated driver's seat is an obvious departure from the previous generation (I found my head closer to the roof than I wanted), but many aspects of the Taco experience are rather familiar. Ride quality is good for a Tacoma, yet there's no missing that it rides more like a traditional truck than the competing Colorado and Canyon.

"Toyota's biggest advantage is its QDR (quality, durability, reliability) reputation," Ed Loh said. "That cannot be understated, even if it isn't one of our criteria."